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Day: May 25, 2024
Tensions in the Middle East have reached a new high following a helicopter crash that killed the Iranian President and Foreign Minister last weekend. This paired with the devastating news that many hostages being held by Hamas were killed at the beginning of the conflict, despite many families holding out hope for months. To break down this week’s developments in the Middle East, FOX News Foreign Correspondent Alex Hogan discusses how she believes Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s death will impact the country and the region, where ceasefire and hostage negotiations currently stand in the Israel-Hamas War, and what she’s seen reporting in the region.
The number of migrants crossing the southern border fell significantly in the last few months, but the political fight hasn’t waned. The issue remains a top concern for many Americans and both parties are trying to convince voters they have solutions to the migrant crisis. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tried to advance a long-stalled bipartisan agreement this week, but the measure failed to overcome a filibuster with opposition mounted from both parties. FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram speculates as to why the vote was held and questions if there is a path forward to break the gridlock of immigration politics.
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Tears for Fears: Tens of thousands mourned the death of Ebrahim Raisi. Many others discreetly celebrated. (Sky News photo)
What Killed Ebrahim Raisi? Who benefits? That’s the question intelligence analysts ask in response to surprises like Sunday’s helicopter crash that killed Iran’s president and foreign minister.
A U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter transporting Iranian President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and six others crashed in heavy fog over mountains in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Iran’s preliminary investigation reported no signs of foul play. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t.
Former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and others inside Iran blamed U.S. sanctions, which made it difficult to source parts for a 30-year-old helicopter flying in bad weather. Blogger Richard Silverstein quoted an Israeli security source who said the crash was no accident: “Any head of state ordering an attack on Israel signs his own death sentence.”
Raisi’s death scrambled back-channel talks between Tehran and Washington. Axios reported on May 17 that Brett McGurk, President Biden’s senior Middle East adviser, held indirect negotiations in Oman earlier this month with Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s point man for negotiations with the West. Middle East Eye, a London-based website reportedly financed by Qatar, reported that Raisi’s death “jeopardized” the talks. McGurk’s counterpart, Bagheri Kani, is now acting foreign minister.
The Atlantic reported that the biggest beneficiary of Raisi’s death may be one of the rival factions seeking to gain power in Iran. The crash altered the balance of power and eliminated Raisi from contention to succeed Iran’s 85-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.